|
|
|
Parish Nurses
February 8, 2008 |
A chapel may not be the first place you consider going for healthcare advice. But
in Lee County you can do just that. That’s thanks to the Lee Memorial Health System
Parish Nurse Program. Rita Horvath is the director of that program and she says
it’s good fit for the community. “The congregation is the natural health place.
Health and healing, nursing basically started from a religious background. It’s
a natural fit.” The parish nurse program has been going strong for ten years. Right
now 19 local churches have their own parish nurse on staff. Rita says, “A parish
nurse must be an active, licensed nurse in the state of Florida with current nursing
experience of three to five years.” Parish nurses do everything from health screenings
to nursing home visits. But another main goal is helping their congregations focus
on healing and spirituality. “When someone is ill they’re not just ill physically.
It’s body mind and spirit and when one of those components are not where they should
be you can’t heal,” Rita says. Barbara Cavanaugh is a strong supporter of the program
and thinks it’s a great addition to her church. “People feel much more comfortable
or content and consoled after speaking with someone who is interested in really spending time with them and not in a hurry to meet the demands of the healthcare
system.” Rudy Rouse says the parish nurse at his church is a steady source of support.
“She’s around our campus all the time and she’s always encouraging us and if someone
is missing from the group she follows up and calls them at home to see if they need
anything.” Some congregations say they can’t imagine a Sunday service without their
parish nurse. “I would lie my body over the threshold of the church and have people
walk over me before I let her go,” says Barbara. For more information on how you
can get a parish nurse at your church, log onto www.leememorial.org.
|
|
|
|
